04 | 2008

Fibers | Textiles
Intimate apparel designers and consumers alike; appreciate
the exceptional level of softness and drape. Unlike other
synthetics, fibers made with Sorona dye easily and achieve pure
whites as well as rich blacks – both very popular colors in the
intimate apparel market. Best of all for consumers is the easy
care attribute. Garments with Sorona can be washed in cold
water and colors won’t fade due to its colorfastness and fade
resistance attributes. Durability and cold water washing also
contribute to reducing the environmental footprint.
When extruded as a fiber, Sorona holds an odd cross section
– necessary for moisture management – better than traditional
polyester – so moisture is transported away from the body
efficiently and effectively in activewear. Since fibers and fabrics
made with the new polymer are fade resistant, activewear
colors remain bold and vivid through many work-outs and
adventures, not to mention washings. Most agree that the
comfort stretch and full recovery of fabrics made with Sorona
also lead to freedom of movement – a necessity in activewear.
Fleece reaches new levels of softness. With fibers from
Sorona microdenier softness is achieved at larger deniers
making processing easier.
When blended with other fibers, Sorona continues to offer
valuable attributes. Blended with wool it offers softness
and drape along with resistance to wrinkles – perfect for the
business traveler who goes from plane to meeting. Cotton /
Sorona blends offer softness and a comfort stretch and recovery
to provide freedom of movement through the shoulders and
elbows where consumers need it most. In other words, Sorona
blends easily with other fibers – both synthetic and natural - to
enhance and maximize both performance and style.
Designers appreciate the easy dye capability. The material
reaches full color absorption at the boiling point of water.
Fabrics and apparel print and dye beautifully resulting in bold
vivid colors and sharp, crisp prints that won’t bleed or fade.
The environmental side of the ‘Performance PLUS’ story
is threefold. First, Sorona uses approx. 30% less energy to
produce than the production of an equal amount of nylon6.
Second, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced up to 63%.
And lastly, Sorona reduces dependence on oil since it uses
renewably sourced ingredients, replacing those made with
petrochemicals. Sorona contains 37% renewably sourced
ingredients by weight.
As a carpet fiber, the new material offers outstanding
performance including durability, crush resistance and
resilience. Best of all, is the benefit of permanent, natural
stain resistance that won’t wash or wear off as topical stain
treatments are prone to do. DuPont has partnered with Mohawk
Industries to bring this environmentally responsible polymer to
the North American market in residential carpeting. DuPont is
also working with the automotive industry to offer similar stain
resistant carpets to automotive manufacturers for carpeting
and car mats.
www.sorona.dupont.com
32 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/08] Vol. 3